Anxiety and Depression in Children
Children experience depression and anxiety. The internet is filled with articles, information and opinions about anxiety and depression in children. I have selected a few articles that might offer some insights into depression and anxiety in children.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Web site includes this information about depression and anxiety.
Many adolescents have mental health problems that interfere with their normal development and daily life activities. Some mental health problems are mild, while others are more severe. Some mental health problems last for only short periods of time, while others, potentially, last a lifetime. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reports the following:
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Research studies have reported that up to about 5 percent of children and up to 8 percent of adolescents in the US suffer from depression.
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disorders are among the most common mental health problems that occur in children and adolescents.
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Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are common among adolescent and young women in the US.
It is important to know that help is available. Most adolescents who experience mental health problems can return to normal daily lives, if they receive appropriate treatment. There are many different mental health problems affecting adolescents that require the clinical care of a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Anxiety Disorders Association of America adaa.org
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder usually affects children between the ages of six and eleven. It is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety over a variety of things, including, but not limited to:
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Grades
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Performance in sports
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Punctuality
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Family issues
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Earthquakes
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Health
The affected child cannot control his/her worry and it interferes with normal activities. Physical symptoms of GAD include:
Children with GAD tend to be very hard on themselves, striving for perfection, sometimes redoing tasks repeatedly. They may also seek constant approval or reassurance from others.
Just like adults, children can suffer from depression. Unlike adults, however, they may not be able to articulate what they are feeling and ask for help. It is important for the adults around them to understand the basic facts about childhood depression so they can help the child.
Childhood Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com
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